On 16 November 2023, the Rector of the University of Malta (UM), Prof. Alfred J. Vella, and the President of the Chamber of Engineers (CoE), Inġ. Malcolm Zammit, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which formalises a strategic collaboration between CoE and UM.

This agreement leverages the long-standing collaboration between CoE and UM and is anticipated to be mutually benefitting in championing initiatives pertinent to the engineering career, such as the promotion of research and innovation, increased industry-academia collaborations and in addressing fundamental issues within the profession.

In recent years, CoE and UM have engaged in close collaborations in hallmark events such as engineering conferences and STEM outreach endeavours. This MoU serves to codify the pre-existing, symbiotic relationship between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of ICT, two academic institutions renowned for their educational excellence and pioneering international research, and the CoE, a voluntary professional body dedicated to representing both engineers and the engineering profession Malta.

Prof. Alfred J. Vella, UM Rector, said “UM remains resolutely committed to the advancement of the engineering profession, and to the cultivation and development of students into emerging engineering professionals. Through our strategic partnership with the Chamber of Engineers, we pledge to continuously bolster a robust foundation for the growth of the engineering field. Through this alliance, we aspire to amplify rewarding opportunities for both our engineering students and academics and researchers actively working in our faculties.”

Inġ. Malcolm Zammit, CoE, said that: “The active collaboration with UM stems from the shared objectives of both our institutions. This MoU is bestowing a coherent trajectory upon this collaboration, which is expected to thrive from here onwards. We firmly believe that as a Chamber we have a role to augment the enrolment of students into the engineering degree and to foster an enhanced cognizance of the engineering profession amongst the students. This collaboration also aims to cultivate nascent engineers during their academic formation and to actively engage with prominent industry stakeholders”.

The signing took place in the presence of the Dean for the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ing. Andrew Sammut, and the Dean for the Faculty of ICT, Prof. Ing. Carl James Debono, joined by several UM Faculty academics and CoE Executive Council Members.